YearToAvoid

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 18 of 65 total complaints (28%) filed on the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva, with a median failure mileage of 84,000. NHTSA lists no recall tied to these engine complaints.

Engine complaints
18
28% of 65
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
84,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report excessive oil consumption, with some vehicles burning a quart within roughly 1,000 miles between oil changes.
  • Multiple owners describe timing chain failures that caused sudden engine stall while driving and required chain replacement.
  • Some owners report the engine stalling without warning at low speeds, such as around 30 mph.
  • One owner reported a catalytic converter failure shortly after purchase, followed later by a broken timing chain.
  • Owners note dealers referencing a known oil-consumption issue that in some cases was not covered under extended warranty.

When 2012 Chevrolet Captiva engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 18, 2014, latest Dec 5, 2019.

2012 Chevrolet Captiva engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2014May 2016Sep 2017Dec 2017Aug 2018Nov 2018Apr 2019Dec 2019
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2014 to Dec 2019; peak Oct 2017 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Captiva model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20110 (0%)
  2. 201218 (28%)
  3. 201349 (51%)
  4. 201432 (23%)
  5. 20154 (29%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva?
NHTSA lists 18 engine complaints for the 2012 Captiva, which is 28% of the 65 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints on the 2012 Captiva.
At what mileage do 2012 Captiva engine problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 84,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
What kind of engine failures do owners report on the 2012 Captiva?
Owners report excessive oil consumption and timing chain failures that led to stalling, based on NHTSA complaint narratives.
Did engine complaints on the 2012 Captiva cause crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 fires linked to the engine complaints for the 2012 Captiva.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.